Listeria Outbreak in Walmart and Trader Joe’s Leaves Deaths in the U.S.

Listeria outbreak leaves four dead

CDC issues national alert

FreshRealk products already recalled

According to People en Español, a listeria outbreak linked to frozen meals sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s has left at least four people dead and another 19 hospitalized in several states across the country.

Health authorities warned that contaminated products were widely distributed and may still be in consumers’ freezers.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an alert after confirming that the cases are tied to certain types of frozen pasta.

The situation has caused nationwide alarm due to the scale of distribution and the severity of the bacteria’s effects.

Contaminated FreshRealk Products in National Chains

| The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) warned that some meatball meals sold at Walmart may be contaminated with listeria linked to a deadly outbreak. pic.twitter.com/6itFIKWWqn

— Alerta News 24 (@AlertaNews24) September 27, 2025

According to the report, the contaminated foods include meatballs in marinara sauce and chicken fettuccine Alfredo.

Both products were manufactured by FreshRealk, based in New Jersey, and sold in major chains Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and Kroger.

The CDC confirmed that all affected batches have already been pulled from supermarkets.

However, they warned that some consumers may still have packages in their freezers without knowing the risk.

Listeria Outbreak in Walmart and Trader Joe’s Alarms Authorities

Listeria Outbreak in Walmart and Trader Joe’s Leaves Deaths in the U.S. – PHOTO: EFE

So far, hospitalizations have been confirmed in 15 states.

Among the affected patients is a pregnant woman who reportedly lost her baby due to the infection.

The severity of the outbreak lies in the fact that listeria can cause severe symptoms and complications in vulnerable populations.

Deaths have been reported in Illinois, Michigan, Texas, and Utah, according to public health officials.

Symptoms and Complications of Listeriosis

Photo: Shutterstock

Listeriosis, caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, primarily affects people with weakened immune systems.

Common symptoms include fever, muscle aches, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea.

In more severe cases, the bacteria can reach the central nervous system.

When this happens, patients may suffer from severe headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, loss of balance, and even seizures.

Recommendations and Recall of Contaminated Products

The CDC emphasized that this outbreak is one of the deadliest linked to frozen foods in recent years.

Specialists recommend consumers check their freezers immediately for affected products.

They also suggest discarding any FreshRealk marinara meatballs or chicken fettuccine Alfredo, even if they show no visible signs of spoilage.

Health authorities stress that contaminated frozen foods remain a risk, even after long periods in storage.

Federal Investigation into the Listeria Outbreak and Public Warnings

The Listeria outbreak was detected after analyzing hospitalized patients in different states with compatible symptoms.

Lab tests confirmed the presence of the same listeria strain in frozen meals.

The discovery allowed officials to trace the connection between FreshRealk products and clinical cases.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working closely with the CDC to determine the full scope of distribution.